Heart of Illinois United Way

Did you know? Our Heart of Illinois 2-1-1 Information and Referral System recently added a new Community Dashboard! This user-friendly data interface illustrates how our 2-1-1 works to identify needs that impact in our community and includes information regarding usage, gaps, and impact stories. https://lnkd.in/g79BKxpz

It's awesome to be 103 today! For more than a century, the Heart of Illinois United Way has been in a unique position to bring our community together, find connections, and collaborate to address challenges. By focusing our efforts on improving the education, financial stability, and health of our community members, we support the fundamentals of what is needed to build safe and stable lives. Our goal is to help our community thrive by using data and our hearts to invest your donations into programs that deliver the strongest return. Thank you for continuing to prove that when we #ChooseGreaterPeoria our entire community thrives.

It's #NationalPreparednessMonth. Did you know that you and your organization can help United Way activate volunteers for disasters? We're looking for individuals, civic groups, unions, companies, and more to join our centralized volunteer resource to ensure volunteers are ready to serve. Together, we can direct volunteers during the crisis, support recovery efforts, and report volunteer impact. Visit us online at https://lnkd.in/guVrt5VR to learn more and sign-up.

What a fun week at RCC! A BIG thank you to our leaders who participated in the Pie the Leader event. All proceeds raised this week are to support the Heart of Illinois United Way annual campaign! Here is a video highlighting the fun. Thank you to all who donated this week! RCC appreciates you!

We're so excited to host our next speaker, Gretchen S. Jordan, CVA with the Association of Leaders In Volunteer Engagement on August 21. Join us for a one-hour session (via Zoom) as we discuss how we are "Advocates, Collaborators, and Influencers". Read more and sign up at https://lnkd.in/gFr-VhQC Our thanks to PNC for underwriting this series of speakers!

Did you know that more than 90% of students enrolled in Heart of Illinois United Way funded after school programs achieved grade-level academic success in reading and math. The Heart of Illinois United Way works to ensure our children are ready to succeed and adults of all ages are prepared for work, postsecondary education, and life. “My son was struggling and falling behind by midterms. The staff and tutors worked with him and he raised his grade by a full letter and had a terrific final report card. Thank you!” - Mother of a 4th grade student enrolled in a United Way funded after-school program. #BackToSchoolSuccess #LiveUnited

We're only one week away from this great webinar on Unlocking the Potential of LinkedIn for volunteer and donor engagement with Shari Pash of Strategic Solutions for Growth! If you haven't signed up yet, spots are filling up fast! Visit our volunteer site for more information and to register: https://lnkd.in/gFr-VhQC

The Heart of Illinois United Way recently hosted our annual meeting for the election of officers and executive committee. Please join us in welcoming our newest members and leaders for 2024-2025! 2024-2025 Exec Committee: Sid Ruckriegel, Chair (SERVUS, Inc.) pic right; Bob Gates, Past Chair (Heyl, Royster, Voelker & Allen) pic left; Matt Mamer, Vice Chair Resource Development (CEFCU); Kylene Anthony, Vice Chair Community Investment (Caterpillar Inc.); Jenna Wiesner, Vice Chair Marketing & Community Engagement (PNC); Dr. Sharon Kherat, Secretary (Peoria Public Schools); and Seth Davis, Treasurer (RLI Insurance Company). Our newly elected board members include: Christell Frausto, River City Grill; Kyle Gorden, Federal Companies, Micki McCarthy, CGPA; Patrick Roesler, Vermeer Midwest; Bob Senneff, Graham Hospital; Tim Sprout, IBEW Local 34: Danette Swank, Philippi-Hagenbuch; and Jenna Cicciarelli Wiesner, PNC.

Congratulations to our 2024 Horace. J. Gibson honorees, Sean and Crystal Garrett who have so much in common with Hoot Gibson including their community volunteerism, focus on family, and support of the Heart of Illinois United Way. Sean R. Garrett, the founder of Pierpoint Ventures, credits the United Way for helping him quickly develop pride and a connection to the Peoria area. Sean helped plan and launch our BoardSERVE initiative and has also served on our Campaign Cabinet; and our Agency Audit Committee. Crystal Garrett, MBA, who is the Global Program Manager for the Medium Wheel Loader Product Group at Caterpillar Inc., also started her volunteer work with GENU, and her commitment to the community is reflected in her volunteer work for our Financial Stability Impact Area Grant Review Committee. Since 1985, the Heart of Illinois United Way has recognized a volunteer who spends countless hours working without fanfare to help others. Our annual Hoot Gibson Award is presented in memory of Horace J. “Hoot” Gibson, Jr. who pursued his goals in a quiet, determined matter, caring little if others knew of his accomplishments.

Congratulations to the Center for Prevention of Abuse, the recipient of this year’s Jim and Katie Owens Partner Award. For more than 40 years, they have supported our community with the knowledge and caring that domestic violence can affect all people, from all backgrounds, and that everyone deserves peace. Our annual partner award recognizes our partner agencies for their outstanding leadership, collaboration, and engagement with the Heart of Illinois United Way.